During an election campaign, do TDs and Ministers continue to be Designated Public Officials?

Designated Public Officials include Ministers and Ministers of State, Members of the Dáil and the Seanad, Members of the European Parliament for the Irish constituencies, Members of local authorities, special advisers and prescribed categories of civil and public servants.

Members of the Dáil are considered to be Designated Public Officials once they are elected and take their seats. When an election is called, TDs cease to be TDs and therefore, also cease to be Designated Public Officials.

However, Ministers and Ministers of State continue in office during an election period and would remain Designated Public Officials during that time, as would members of the Seanad.